Bracco Italiano

Also known as an Italian Pointer or Italian Pointing Dog, the Bracco Italiano is a powerful dog with a large head that features floppy ears. They have slightly loose skin and an easy-to-care-for short coat. Goofy, loving, and tireless, these dogs enjoy working as much as they do downtime with their families. They enjoy training and are eager to learn.

Bracco Italiano Breed Overview

Likely the oldest pointing breed in Europe, the Bracco Italiano could date back as far as the fourth or fifth century B.C. They were developed in Northern Italy in two varieties – white and orange from the Piedmont region, and roan and brown from the Lombardy region – and were later combined into one breed. Favored by the Italian aristocracy, they peaked in popularity during the Renaissance. Large and impressive, these dogs are silly and playful at their core when they are off duty. They are affectionate and energetic, ready to get involved in whatever the family has on the schedule that day. Keep them active and engaged, and you’ll have a friend for life.  

Bracco Italiano Facts

• Also known as the Italian Pointing Dog
• The breed dates back as far as the fourth or fifth century B.C. and was popular during the Renaissance
• These dogs were beloved by the Italian aristocracy, including the Medicis
• They enjoy their downtime as much as working
• They are eager to please and easy to train
• They are known for their unique pointing stance

How to Care for Your Bracco Italiano

Here’s how to care for your Bracco Italiano, including everything you need to know about nutrition and feeding, health and wellness, grooming and hygiene, and living with the breed.

Nutrition & Feeding

What to Feed a Bracco Italiano

This large, athletic breed needs a diet that can support their energy levels. The best dog food for a Bracco Italiano is one that has high-quality protein and moderate healthy fats. Look for food that is appropriate to a dog’s stage of life, such as puppy food, adult food, or senior dog food. Good choices for this breed could include Purina Pro Plan Adult Large Breed Chicken & Rice or a food geared towards highly active breeds, such as Purina Pro Plan Sport Active 27/17 Chicken & Rice Dry Dog Food.

How Much to Feed a Bracco Italiano

The Bracco Italiano has a wide weight range, so consult your dog’s food label or your vet to find out how much you need to feed them.  It’s preferable to schedule feed rather than free feed for this breed. Bracco Italianos are prone to bloat and will benefit from having two distinct meals a day. Additionally, this keeps them from overeating, which can lead to weight gain and compression on the joints. To get an accurate amount based on your dog’s weight, age, activity level, and more, try the Purina Feeding Calculator. If your dog eats quickly, try a slow feeder to help them slow down and digest their food properly.

Treats & Supplements

Bracco Italianos will enjoy high-protein, low-calorie treats for a job well done in training. Use treats sparingly to prevent weight gain, which can exacerbate joint issues. Treats should account for no more than 10% of the dog’s overall daily calories. You can explore supplements with your vet. Your vet might recommend glucosamine for joints, omega-3 fatty acids for skin and coat health, or kidney support supplements, as this breed can be susceptible to kidney disease.

Health & Wellness

Veterinary Care

Part of being a responsible pet owner is routine care for your dog. Establish a vet checkup routine to go over vaccine schedules, parasite prevention, and more. Your vet can also talk to you about spaying or neutering your dog. Bracco Italianos do have a few breed-specific health conditions, such as hip dysplasia, bloat, and kidney disease. Discuss ways to prevent or mitigate these conditions with your vet.

Bracco Italiano Enrichment & Exercise Needs

While they enjoy relaxing after a long day of romping, the Bracco Italiano is a dog bred to work. They enjoy trying new things and switching up exercise routines, such as swimming, scent work, running, hiking, and more. Physical activity should always be supervised and, if off-leash, done in a secure place. Mental and physical stimulation is key to their happiness – and how you can prevent destructive behavior that stems from boredom or understimulation. Be sure to include mental challenges as well, such as training sessions, puzzles, and games.

Understanding Your Bracco Italiano’s Behavior

The Bracco Italiano is an easygoing dog most of the time and is often described as lovingly clownish. However, they can have an independent streak and go off-script if not trained properly. They benefit from gentle, consistent training that is based on positive reinforcement and do not respond well to harsher training methods or corrections. Their hunting background means a high prey drive. Instead of trying to deter chasing behavior, give them outlets to satisfy it, such as scentwork, and keep them away from small animals if possible.

What to Expect as Your Bracco Italiano Ages

A healthy Bracco Italiano can live to be 10 to 14 years old. They can be switched to a senior dog food when your vet recommends doing so. Many senior dog food formulas can specifically help with mental clarity, joint health, gut health, and more.

Grooming & Hygiene

Skin & Coat Health

The Bracco Italiano dog breed has a short, dense, and smooth coat that has relatively low grooming needs. Brush them regularly to keep their coats healthy and shiny, and consider increasing brushing when they shed twice a year. Only bathe them when they’re really dirty to prevent stripping their skin of natural oils. They have slightly saggy skin, so you should do a regular check of their jowls and any folds to make sure there are no infections or irritations.

Ear, Paw & Dental Care

Because these dogs have long, droopy ears, they are at a higher risk of getting ear infections. Check them regularly for signs of infection, such as redness and discharge. Clean their ears regularly with vet-approved wipes. They are highly active and love to be outside, so keep their nails trimmed to prevent cracking and splitting, which can affect the way they run. A weekly check of their paw pads for cuts, scrapes, and other irritations is a good idea to prevent infection, and be sure to establish a good dental care routine to prevent tartar buildup and gum disease.

Anal Gland Care

Your Bracco Italiano will likely be able to express their anal glands naturally. It’s still possible they could have a blockage form, which can cause an impaction. If not addressed, this can lead to an abscess, which requires vet care. You’ll know it’s time to call a professional if they are excessively licking, scooting, emitting a foul-smelling odor, or straining to go to the bathroom.

Living With a Bracco Italiano

Living Space

Wide open spaces are best for Bracco Italianos. They should have a secure, fenced-in area to explore and never be left unattended, as their hardwired prey drive could have them chasing after small animals. Ideally, they’d live in a rural or suburban area.

Socialization

These dogs bond strongly with family and do not enjoy being left alone for long periods. They can have separation anxiety, which can result in destructive behavior such as chewing or excessive barking. To prevent this, make sure you give them ample mental and physical stimulation before leaving them. They enjoy family life, although their size makes them more suitable for families with older children or no children. Socialize them early and frequently to build up confidence around other animals, unfamiliar people, and places. It’s possible that they won’t ever adjust to being around small animals like little dogs and cats because the instinct to chase is so high, so consider that when thinking about your lifestyle and living with this breed.

Climate Considerations

The short coat of the Bracco Italiano means they do best in moderate to warmer climates, although they can get by in colder temperatures if they are not out in the cold for too long (although this might be hard for such a high-energy dog to understand). They should not be left out in any extreme weather for long periods. If you live in a warmer climate, try to exercise them during the coolest parts of the day and provide them with plenty of shade and water.

Potential Challenges

Loveable, affable, and eager to please, the Bracco Italiano is a great companion dog for an active, experienced owner who can incorporate them into daily life. They have high exercise and enrichment needs, but so long as those are met, these dogs are happy. Their prey drive is hard to unwire, so instead of trying to prevent it, give them outlets, like scentwork, where they can exercise their instincts. They can be sensitive dogs, so it’s important to only use positive and gentle training methods with them.

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